Platform about design and technology in the kitchen, home, and bathroom industry
SKS continues its exploration of redefining the role of kitchen appliances and is expanding their scope of application: no longer merely a functional element, but a multidisciplinary design element that can be seamlessly integrated into various spaces in the home and in commercial settings. This vision has led to Tracce, the new capsule collection that explores the expressive potential of surfaces and combines design heritage with innovation.
The collection was developed in collaboration with Abet Laminati —one of the first companies in Europe to introduce decorative laminate into architecture and interior design, thereby helping to define both its expressive and technical value—and wraps SKS’s under-counter appliances in iconic patterns, giving them a distinctive look in any space.
Ettore Sottsass’s “Bacterio,” Alessandro Mendini’s “Digital Circus,” and the Superstudio collective’s “Misura” form the core of a process of restoration and reinterpretation of historical graphic designs from Milan’s radical design movement. Bold and unconventional patterns are translated onto technological surfaces, creating a contemporary reinterpretation of visions that redefined design codes between the 1960s and 1970s and established visual and cultural languages that remain relevant today.
Originally conceived as part of Sottsass’s experiments with laminates—later continued by the Memphis Group—Bacterio emerged from the observation of everyday materials and objects such as terrazzo, chain mail, and sponges. The surface texture, combined with the shape of a Buddhist temple in Madurai, is reworked and abstracted into a dynamic field of black symbols, creating a vibrant, layered composition available in yellow or red.
Digital Circus, available in yellow and light blue, emerged from a search for an essential symbol capable of condensing multiple expressive tensions. The composition unfolds as a visual system balanced between centrality and dispersion, where rhythm, color, and geometry form a surface that reflects images, perceptions of time, and constantly shifting suggestions.
Misura, an icon of Radical Design, stands out for the graphic power of its grid, set against a simplicity that is only apparent. The pattern emerges as a reflection on space and order, transforming the grid into an absolute symbol capable of evoking theoretical scenarios and design visions, hovering between rigor and imagination.
The surface designs are produced using Abet Digital, a service that draws on Abet Laminati’s extensive technical and design expertise. Abet Digital is synonymous with creativity, design, and customization, offering maximum flexibility in production combined with a strong aesthetic impact.
The Tracce capsule collection has been applied to two iconic products from the SKS under-counter lineup: the under-counter wine cooler and the under-counter convertible refrigerator, both designed to ensure high performance and maximum versatility.
The under-counter wine refrigerator is designed for optimal wine preservation, with a capacity of up to 41 bottles and two independent zones with adjustable temperature and humidity. Stainless-steel interiors, natural beech wood shelves, and a UV-protected, triple-tinted glass door define its minimalist and refined aesthetic.
The under-counter convertible refrigerator stands out for its flexibility: consisting of two drawers, it allows for different temperature settings, so the space can be converted into a refrigerator or a freezer as needed. A solution that combines technological precision with ease of use, seamlessly adapting to both residential and professional environments.
